More than 80,000 Victorians have picked up the phone or submitted an expression of interest form to their local TAFE to find out how they can sign up to the Andrews Labor Government’s Free TAFE initiative.
The enquiries have been made across each of the state’s 12 TAFEs and four dual-sector universities to seek more information and help to enrol in one of 30 free priority TAFE and 20 pre-apprenticeship courses on offer in 2019.
More than 15,000 enquiries have been made into enrolling in the Diploma of Nursing, with courses in Community Services, Accounting and Bookkeeping, Cyber Security, Education Support and Mental Health also attracting thousands of enquiries.
All 50 courses on the Free TAFE list were selected because they give Victorians the skills they need for the jobs most in demand across Victoria and every single course on the list has attracted enquiries.
Free TAFE will mean more Victorians to get the skills they need for jobs working on major road and rail projects, building schools and hospitals and caring for our loved ones.
Skilled workers are in high demand across Victoria, which is why the Labor Government invested an additional $644 million in last year’s Budget to strengthen TAFE, and to ensure all Victorians can access the training they need to get a good job.
As part of the transformation of Victoria’s training sector, the Labor Government is creating more than 30,000 new training places, upgrading and rebuilding TAFE campuses and making TAFE free for over 30 priority courses and 20 pre-apprenticeship courses.
TAFE institutes, including universities that offer TAFE courses, across Victoria are currently taking enrolments for Free TAFE courses that begin in 2019. For the full list of Free TAFE courses visit freetafe.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Acting Minister for Training and Skills Jaala Pulford
“The high level of interest in Free TAFE shows just how important it is to reduce barriers to training, and support as many Victorians as possible to get access to the skills they need to get a job.”
“That every course and every TAFE has received interest shows how far we have come in rebuilding TAFE and training in Victoria.”
“More than ever the jobs in demand across Victoria are taught at TAFE – that’s why we’re reducing the barrier to quality training by making over 50 courses free.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020